Distilling apparatus



June 20, 1944. w. E. BELINE y 2,352,059

f DISTILLING APPARATUS y Filed July 22, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FEW SEA WATER INLET Y jira,

VAPORATOR OUTLET TO STEAM EJECTOR SUCTION www? 162 cogggnsn A RNEY June 20, 1944. w, E; BE| |NE 2,352,069

DISTILLING APPARATUS Filed July 22, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented June 20, 1944 UNITED STATES zPATENT OFFICE l DISTILLIN G APPARATUS Walter E. Beline, Englewood, N. J0.

Application July 22, 1942, Serial No. 451,897

(Cl. 20E-187) forms of embodiment of the invention are shown,

17 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to a low pressure distilling apparatus, and it has relation particularly to a submerged tube type, iilm type or ash type distilling apparatus whereby a pure liquid is produced automatically and continuously from an impure or contaminated liquid.

Heretofore, such distilling plants have consisted generally of interconnecting separate distilling units and separate condensing units, which separated units required considerable space for installation, connection and operation. Such installations are highly objectionable and disadvantageous, especially on board ship where space is. extremely limited. With the present invention I have been able to obviate these objections and disadvantages by devising a construction in which the distilling and condensing units are combined integrally in a novel and ecient manner into a single compact tank or vessel.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel construction for a distilling apparatus, which requires but a minimum of installation and operating space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a complete distilling and condensing apparatus within a single tank or vessel, which is highly eiicient in operation and designed to operate automatically and continuously.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel arrangement of operating automatic control devices whereby a definite ratio is maintained between the quantity of pure liquid produced and concentrated liquid discharged so that a denite control is eiected over the concentration of the liquid remaining in the distilling tank, which in turn keeps the operation efficient and the rate of scaling at a minimum.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement wherein the incoming impure liquid is first utilized to condense theY superheated vapor, whereby it becomes preheated before being introduced into the distilling unit for vaporization.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement whereby the amount of contaminated liquid being delivered to the distilling tank is controlled automatically by the ternperature of the superheated vapor.

Other and further objects and advantageshof the invention, which result in simplicity, economy and efficiency, will belvapparent from the following detailed description, wherein preferred= reference being had for illustrative purposes to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals indi-cate like parts, in which: i i

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a typical distilling apparatus circuit constructed in accordance with the principles ,of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal axial sectional view of the tank or `vessel shown in Fig. l, with portions being broken away to reduce the length of the view andwith -thecxternal control pipe connections being left off for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of. asub-assembly showing the removable unit including the steam tubes used in heating the liquid to be. subsequently distilled;

Fig. 4 is a. cross-sectional YView of the tank or vessel shown in Fig. 1, thel same having' been taken along the lines 4-4 thereoflooking in the direction of the arrows; 1

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectionalview of one of the automatic displacement pumps shown in Fig. 1, which are used in controlling the removal of the distillate and the concentrated liquid from the system; and 1 Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modified form of construction which my invention may assume.v

Referring now tc the drawingarand particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, thereof, Vthere is shown a submerged tube type distilling unit including Y a tank I 0, within which is mounted both'the distilling and condensing units.

Looking at the right end of the' tank l0, the contaminated liquid or distilland, which, for example, may be sea water, is first brought into the system through a pipe I2 by a, conventional suction pump I3, whereupon it is forced through an inlet pipe I 4, and through the head 53B into the condensing tubes of the condenserunit hereinafter to be described. Afterpassing through the condensing system, theV sea water, which has absorbed some hea-t in condensing the steam vapor to distillate in the, condenser, ris withdrawn through an outlet "pipe l5. lThe outlet pipe l5 has a thermostatic heat control valve I6, which is capable of delivering the discharging condensing water to the distilling system when water is required therein through the inlet pipe I8. When the valve I6 is closed the` discharging condensing. water will be by-passed overboard thrOUgh fa discharge line v.2 l' having a. conventional spring loaded valve 23. In this arrangement the sensible heat gained by the water during the condensing operation is utilized, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system by reducing the total heat input necessary to causing distillation.

The thermostatic expansion valve I6, which is used to control or regulate the amount of sea water covering the steam tubes 42 in the trough 60, is of a conventional construction. It regulates the iioW of incoming sea water to the trough 60 in accordance with load conditions. It is not strictly speaking thermostatic in operation, except in the sense that it is responsive to superheat changes in the watervapor as it passes over the superheated tubes. By superheat I mean a vapor having a temperaure higher than the temperature corresponding to its pressure at saturation. The amount of superheat is, of course, the temperature increase above the temperature at saturation at the existing pressure. The remote bulb Il of the' thermal heat control valve I6 is mounted within the tank II) in the path of the Vapor passing over the series of superheating tubes 80, and is connected by a suitable capillary tube I9 to the valve i6. The valve I6 is adjustable, and may be set so as to cause ow of sea water into the .trough B through the pipe line I8 and inlet pipe 66 when the superheat temperature rises beyond a given point, and, when the superheat temperature decreases due to the inrush of cool sea water, to shut off the flow of sea Water intothe pipe I8 and by-pass it out of the system through the overboard discharge line 2l.

The heating system for the distilling unit is shown at the left end of the tank Ill, and consists of an inlet steam pipe 20, which is suitably connected to the necessary distilling tubes, and an outlet pipe 22 through which the steam heating condensate leaves the system. A suitable conventional steam trap (not shown) is, of course, mounted in the outlet pipe 22.

In the operation o'f a distilling plant wherein pure water is tobe made continuously from sea Water, it is recognized that a definite relationship must be maintained between the salinity oi the sea water and the maximum concentration of the brine in the distilling unit in order to have an eiiicient operation. Averagesea water contains aboutl el; part, by weight, of solid matter in every thirty-two pounds of sea water. The concentration of brine in the distilling unit,Y within limits, has a direct bearing on the quality of the distillate. For an elcient operation the density of the brine discharge overboard should never exceed 1.5/32. VSince the concentration of the brine in the trough BIJ will have a denite relationship to the quantity of brine pumped overboard and the amount of fresh Water being produced, it is essential that a suitable automatic control be established for keeping this ratio constant and within efcient limits. A series of conventional automatic displacement pumps 26 and 28 are used to control the discharge of brine in proportion to the production of distillate. The pump 28, having a capacity equal to twice that of the pump 26, will permit twice as much brine concentrate to be discharged from the system as distillate delivered to the pure water storage tank. The detailed operation of these automatic displacement pumps 26 and 218 will be hereinafter more fully described.

With reference now'to Figs. 2 to 5, wherein the details of construction of the various parts are best showmthe tank I0, which isof a cylindrical construction, has welded at its oppositeends suitable stiiener rings 30A and 30B. The ring SIA has its central area suitably apertured to receive a series of conventional steam tubes 42, which are welded, brazed or otherwise suitably fastened therethrough. The ring 30B has its corresponding central area. separated therefrom to form a plate-like section 32, which is removable. The plate-like section 32 is correspondingly apertured for receiving the opposite ends of the steam tubes 42.. Longitudinally spaced sustaining plates 43 sustain the respective positions of the tubes 42 intermediate their lengths. A tube sheet member 34 is adapted to be secured removably by bolts 36 against the stiiener ring 30A mounted on the left end of the tank It). The intermediate portion of the tube sheet 34 is provided with a series of suitably arranged apertures 38 forming webs 40 to provide for steam passages connecting with each of the steam tubes 42, each of which is open at its opposite ends into suitable steam boxes 44 and 46. Theipattern of theseries of steam tubes 42 is best shownin Fig. 4.

The lower circumferential edge portions of the stiffener rings 30A and 30B havek a series of apertures 48 therethrough into'which are fitted suitable water tubes 50. The tube sheet 34 is apertured corresponding to the pattern arrangement of the water tubes 50 to vprovide a passageway therethrough, `whereby the water tubes 50 may empty into a semi-circular cupped box 54, which is welded to the outer side of the tube sheet 34, to form a suitable chamber for said tubes. The opposite ends of the water tubes 5E are mounted through .the stiiener ring 30B and empty into a suitable .chamber 56 (Fig. 2) integrally formed-in the head 58B. The water tubes 5D have longitudinally spaced sustaining plates 52 for sustaining. their respective positions at intervals intermediate their length. This arrangement permits the circulation of cold incoming water back and forth through the water tubes 50 to cause the superheated- Vapor" passing thereover to condense the distillate..

The tube sheetY 34",. including its semi-circular cupped box 54, the. series ci'steam tubes 42, their sustaining platesy 43,.:the removable end plate 32 and its adjoining'cupped box 46, are all formed integrally 'into ay unit, which unit is removable and may be longitudinally'withdrawn` from the vessel IU when thehead' 58A is removed' therefrom. Removal ofV this unit is essential periodically to `properly clean :and remove the scale formed on the exteriorV surfaces of the steam tubes 42. This removable unit is best shown perspectively in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings.

As best shown in.v Fig. 4, all of the steam tubes 42 arel enclosed within an open top trough 60, mounted. concentrically off and in spaced relation to the outer tank or shell I0 in any suitable manner. The trough extends longitudinally of the tankA I from the stiiener ring 30A to the stiifener ring 30B, and its` arcuate ends are continuously welded to the inward plane surfaces of said rings, forming an air tight and water tight compartment within said tank I0. The trough 60 may bebraced or otherwise supported intermediate its end in'A any suitable manner, such as, for instance, byA radial Y sustaining blocks (notshown) There is provided an'in'let-pipe 66, having a series of longitudinally-spacedperforations G8 therein, through whichthe incoming sea water may be evenly distributed longitudinally of the Ibottom of the trough-60 without undue surging. It is desi-ralolel to prevent undue surging of the incoming water as it enters the trough 60 and iiows over andaround the steam heating tubes 42, because the formingvapor will have a tendency to carry the mist or droplets over into the condensing chamber. The inlet pipe 66, with its inlet perforations 68 spaced above the floor of the trough 60, provides a suitable space for thev collection of any scale which may crack olf and fall away from the steam heating tubes 42.` This construction prevents any accumulation of scale from closing off the inlets for the incoming sea water.

A filtering partition is angularly mounted across the open top of the trough G0. This partition completely closes the open top of the trough 60 and serves to arrest and return any liquid spray or droplets from passing out of the water heating chamber of the trough 60 such as may be caused by ebullition of the boiling salt water. This ltering partition 'l0 consists of two separate rectangularly shaped panels or frame members 'l2 and I4 suitably welded or otherwise fastened angiuarly to the upper edges oi the trough E0. Each panel sustains two-spaced confining sheets of woven wire between which is confined a layer of metal, wool or other suitable filtering material. v

Within the space immediately above the filtering partition l0, there extends a series of spaced superheating steam tubes 80, which are suitably mounted in apertures S2 extending through the stiiener rings A and 30B. Correspondingly spaced apertures Sil in the tube sheet S (Fig. 2) are in open communication with the steam chamber 44 formed by the head 58A. A cupped box 86 is welded to the stiiener ring 30B over the open ends of the tubes 80 extending therethrough, forming a steam chamber therefor, which will permit the circulation of the Steam between the open ends of adjacent tubes. The tubes 80 have a series of longitudinally spaced sustaining plates S8 for supporting them in proper spaced relation throughout their length.

Each end of the tank I0 is closed by removable heads 58A and 50B. The head 58A, closingthe left handend of the tank I0, which is best shown in Fig. 2, is secured to the stiiener ring 30A by the same bolts 36 that hold the tube sheet 34 inrposition. Suitable gaskets 55 are used in assembling these several parts in order to make the system steam, air and water tight. The head 58A is cast with an integral` steam inlet connection 90 and outlet connection 92. The head 58B, closing the right hand end of the tank lil, is likewise secured to the stifener ring 30B by similai bolts 3B, and has a suitable gasket 55 mounted therebetween. The head 58B is constructed so as to provide an inlet connection Q4 and an outlet connection 96. It is to be understood that the heads 58A and 58B may be constructed in different ways so as to provide' the desired number of water or steam passes through the several series of tubes without departing from the scope of the invention.

In operation of the apparatus, the Vapor from the boiling sea Water in the trough 60 rises upwardly through the filter 10, passing around and over the superheated tubes 80. Any condensate or other foreign substances which may unaccountably be carried by the vapor through the filter 10, will be driven out of the vapor by its superheating, and will, of course,` be gravitationally deposited on top of the angularly positioned iilter panels 'I2 and 14, which are so lconstructed as toy provide a collecting reservoir for Ls uch foreign substance s. f

'The superheated Vapor then moves over and around the condensing water tubes 50, disposed in the concentricI annular space between the outer surface of the trough 60 and the inner surface of the tank I0. 'I'he condensing water tubes 50 are connected with the head 58B in such a manner that cool water entering the inlet 94 is passed back and forth between these tubes until it reaches the outletSG. from the condensing vapor gravitates to thebottom of the tank '|0, and is withdrawn therefrom through an outlet pipe |24 and pump 26, which permits its passage to thestorage tank' (not shown). ,A

Air or other non-condensible gases formed in the condensing chamber are Aadapted to be removed through a suction connection E02, which leads from a point spaced from the bottom of the tank l0 and from a point spaced from the distilled water outlet |24. The suction connection |02 is intended to be connected to suitable evacuation pump (not shown).

A concentrated brine outlet connection |04, extending through the tank Hl into the trouglr), provides a means for draining 'the concentrating brine forming in the trough 00 due to evaporation of a portion of the sea water therein.

Steam for heating the steam tubes ll2and- 80 enters through the steam inlet. 950, passing through the head 58A and into `the heating tubes 42 for heating the sea water. and into the heating tubes Sil for superheating thevapor through their openings 3S and Sil, respectively, inthe tube sheet 34. The condensate, which l forms during these several Vheating operations, will gravitate downwardly and leavel the apparatus through the outlet $52Which, ofV course,v lmust be provided with a suitable'steam trap (not shown). The sustaining plates 't3 and .88,c'r'espectively, are constructed or arranged so as to permit'the passage of condensate therethrough.

As already has been explained, it is. necessary to control the discharge of concentrated brine in proportion to the production of distillate or pure water. Accordingly, a suitable pump 28 is placed in the concentrated brine discharge line |04, which is operablyconnected with'the pump 26. The capacity of the pump 28 is'twice that. of the pump 26 so that .twice as much concentrated brine will be discharged fromthe system as distillate produced. Of course, this ratio mayzbe changed merely by substituting pumps of differ- `ent capacities, depending, for examp1e,.upon the impurity of the water being distilled, without departing from the scope of the invention. lThe pump 28, which is shown in sectional detail in Fig.v 5, has a float H0, which is guided for Vertical movement by a stem H2. A toggle mechanism, 'comprising two toggle levers ||4` hinged together and sustained at their remote ends by leaf springs HB, which tend to approach peach other and are forced outwardly by the toggle levers ||4,-form a quick throw mechanism by means of which the lioat I l2 closes the valves v| I8 and |20 selectively. The normal condition is with the float lll! down, at which time the valve |20 is open and the interior of the pump is vat sub- The condensate float to rise. This movement of the float I causes the toggle to shift, opening the valve ||8 and closing the valve |20. This shift cuts off the connection to the low side of the system by way of the line |94, and subjects the interior of the pump to the high pressure 4side through the valve I8 and pipe line |30 connected through the pump 26 and line |26, to the steam inlet pipe 20. It follows that when the float ||0 is in its upward position the brine concentrate or distilland in the pump 28 is forced to flow into the pipe |36, through the check valve |38 and into the line |40 for discharge overboard.

The pump 26 is identical in construction and operation to the pump 28, except that it is half as large, and its high pressure side, or valve ||8, is connected by a pipe |26 directly to the steam inlet 20. The pump 26 has an additional connecting Vline |30 from its float ychamber to the valve ||8 of the :pump 28, which additional connection is indicated in dotted lines in the pump 28 ln Fig. 5. vThe distillate produced may enter the pump 26 freely through the pipe line |24 and check valve |25, and, when the accumulation is of a suiiicient depth to cause its float ||0 to rise, whereupon the distillate will be forced to ow out through the line |42 and the check valve |44 to the storage tank. Y

`It will thus be apparent that the high and low sides of these automatic displacement pumps are never freely connected with each other, but the pressure differential is availed of to transfer the several liquids from their respective systems to their desired discharge lines. These automatic displacement pumps are conventional commercial pumps chosen for illustrative purposes. Equivalent devices (not all of which are pumps) are well known to those skilled in the art and may be substituted.

It will be' noted that the pumps 26 and 28 are so connected that one of them may, if so desired,

be operated at any time without the other. This is accomplished by connecting the line |26 directly to the' line |30 by a by-pass line |21. A manually operable control valve |29 is mountedin the line |21, and a similar valve |3| is mounted in the line |30, between the line |21 and the pump 26. By closing the valve |3| the pump 28 is cut oi irom'the pump 26, and by opening the valve |29 in the by-pass line |21 the pump 28 is connected directly to the high pressure side of the apparatus, or steam line 20, through the pipe lines Y |26 and |21.

to be cleaned in order to remove the scale formed on the outer surfaces of the tubes 42 in the trough 60. This may be readily` accomplished by removing the head 58A, opening the left Vend of the tank I0, whereupon the tube sheet 34 may be withdrawn with its water box 54, tubes 42, plates 45 and water box 46 as an integral unit, which is best shown in Fig.,3. The tubes 42 are mounted in the trough 60 in what is known as a oating head'construction, a term` which is well understood in the art and requires no further explanation herein. Y

In the modification shown in Fig. 6, the tank `|0 is provided with what is known conventionally as a flash type distilling unit. The trough 60 is provided with a baille plate |41 having Aapertures |49, but is devoid of steam heating tubes. The annular space between the tank l0 and trough 60 is divided into'tWoSeparate and :distinct upper and lower sections, |50.and |52, by

suitable radial partitioning plates |54. The lower section is adapted to receive a series of water tubes |56 for preheating the sea water to be discharged into the trough 60. The upper section is adapted to receive a series of condensing tubes |58 for condensing the vapor arising from the trough 60. The upper open end of the trough 60 is closed by a iilter member |60, which is similar to the filter member 10 previously described, but of a more simple construction, having only one panel member.

The sea water enters the Water tubes |56 through a suitable connection in one of the heads (not shown) but like the head 58B in the previously described construction, and after preliminary heating is passed through the inlet pipe |8, filling the space below 'the baiiie plate |41, and Aentering into the trough 60 through the openings |49 therein. This water, being about at its vaporization temperature, fiashes off into vapor, which vapor passes upwardly through the iilter member |60 into the condensing chamber |52. The steam for heating the water tubes |56 enters through thepipe |160-, and flows around between the tubes |56. The condensate from the steam flows out through outlet pipe |62. A-series of longitudinally spaced equalizer tubes |64 passing through the water chamber in the trough 60, connects both upper sides of the steam chamber containing the tubes |56, and serves to increase circulation oi the steam therein. A vent |66 connected to the lower chamber containing tubes |56 serves to let the air formed therein out of the steam 'condensing chamber. EA draini-B permits a steady flow of sea water overboard from the trough 60, preventing the formation of any brine concentration therein.

The upper half of the concentric space between the trough 60 and tank |0 contains condensing tubes |58 which has cold sea water flowing. therethrough. The sea water for the tubes |58 enters and leaves through suitable inlet and outlet conbut like `the head 58A of the previously described apparatus. When the system is operating below atmospheric pressure, a conventional steam ejector suction unit |10, consisting of a nozzle |14, having a high pressure steam inlet |16 and an ejector diffuser |18, is required to withdraw the air and other non-condensible gases from the condensing unit. The outlet |18 may be connected by a pipe to the low rpressure sea Water preheater inlet |60, which Aeifects an eincient operation by utilization of the discharge steam vapor as a means of preheating the sea Water. It will be obvious that the movement of the steam at high pressure passing the outlet of the pipe |12 in the nozzle |10 will act as a pumping means to withdraw any air or other non-condensible gases from the condensing chamber which is at sub-atmospheric pressure to discharge the same at atmospheric or higher pressure. The upper chamber |52 is likewise provided with a series of longitudinally spaced equalizer tubes |82 passing through the upper half of the trough 60. These equalizer tubes |82 serve to increase the eiiiciency of the circulation in said chamber |52. It is believed this brief description of the modified form of the invention is suliicient to enable one skilled in the art to understand its full construction and operation, especially when coupled with the complete description given in connection with the original apparatus.

While I have specifically described for illustrative purposes the conversion of sea water to fresh water, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be so construed as being so limited. The features of the apparatus are applicable generically to various other distillation problems, and its application to such other uses is tobe understoodto be within the realm of the present invention.

Although I have described in detail only two forms which the invention my assume, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same is not to be so limited, but that various other modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit thereof or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A distilling apparatus comprising in combination an elongated tankof substantial length as compared to its width dimension having an elongated trough structure adapted to hold a substantial volume of liquid mounted withinV said tank and in spaced relation thereto, said elongated trough structure extending substantially the length of the tank and being open at the top throughout its length, means for supplying a liquid to said elongated trough structure, means for causing the liquid retained in said elongated trough structure to vaporize, condensing means mounted in the lower part of the space between said tank and trough structure for condensing the vapor passing thereover, and means for removing the condensate l from said tank.

2. A distilling apparatus comprising in combination `a tank having a trough structure mounted therein in spaced relation thereto, and adapted to hold a substantial volume of liquid, said trough structure having an open top throughout its length, means for supplying a liquid to said trough, means for causing the liquid retained in said trough structure to vaporize,vapor filtering means mounted over the open top of said trough structure, heating means mounted above said ltering means for superheating said vapor passing through said ltering means, means mounted in the lower part of the space between said tank and trough structure for condensing the vapor passing therethrough, and means for removing the condensate from said tank.

3. A distilling apparatus comprising in combination a tank having in combination therewith a trough mounted therein in spaced relation thereto for retaining a substantial volume of a liquid said trough having an open top substantially throughout its length, 'a heating means in said trough, means including a Vapor lter for closing the open top of said trough, heating means positioned above said iilter for superheating the vapor passing therethrough, condensing means mounted in the space between said trough and tank for condensing the superheated vapor, means for automatically controlling the ow of liquid to said trough, and means for removing the condensate from said tank.

4. A distilling apparatus comprising a tank having in combination therewith a trough mounted therein in spaced relation thereto for retaining a liquid, said trough having an open top substantially throughout its length, a removable heating means in said trough, means including a lter for closing theopen top 0f said trough, heating means positioned above said filter for superheating the vapor passing therethrough, l

said filter for superheating the vapor passing therethrough,"condensing means mounted in the space between said trough and tank for condensing the superheated vapor, means for automati` cally controlling the flow of liquid tofsaid trough, and automatic means for preventing the concentration of the distilland in the trough by removing a portion thereof proportionately to the amount of condensate produced.

6. A distilling apparatus comprising a cylindrical tankihaving in combination therewith a trough mounted concentrically therein in spaced relation thereto for retaining a liquid, said trough having an open top substantially throughout its length, a heating means in said trough, means including a lter for closing the open top of said trough,lheating means positioned above said filter for superheating the vapor passing therethrough, condensing means mounted in the space between said trough and tank for condensing the superheated vapor, means including axthermostatic heat control valve responsive to the degree of superheat 'of said vapor for automatically controlling the lflow of liquid to said trough, means for removing the condensate from said tank, and automatic means for preventing the concentration of the distilland in the trough by removing a portion thereof proportionately to the amount of condensate produced.

7. A distilling apparatus comprising a cylindrical tank having concentrically mounted therein in spaced relation a cylindrical trough adapted to retain a distilland, said trough having an opening in its top substantially throughout its length, means including a thermostatically controlled valve responsive to changes in the superheat temperature of the vapor from the distilv land for supplying additional distilland to said trough, means for preventing undue surging of said liquid as it `enters said` trough, heating means removably mounted within said trough for heating the liquid therein, means including a filter for closing the open top of said trough, heating means mounted between said filter and the tank for superheating the distilled vapor, means mounted between said trough and tank for condensing said superheated vapor, means for removing the liquid. condensed from said superheated vapor, and means for removing a portion of the liquid insaid trough to prevent an accumulation of concentrated liquid therein.

8. A. distilling.; apparatus comprising a cylindrical tank having in combination therewith a trough mounted concentrically therein in spaced relation thereto for retaining a liquid, said trough having an opening in its top substantially f throughout its length, a heating means in said trough, means including a filter for closing the open top of said trough, heating means positioned above said lter for superheating the vapor passing therethrough, condensing means mounted in the space between said trough and tank'for 1 means for removing"` a portion' ofthe liquid'from said troughr to preventthe` concentration of the same therein. f 9; Af distilling Vappar'atus comprising` acylindric'al tank'having in cnmbinationV therewith a trough mounted concentrically therein in spaced relation thereto fori retaining a liquid, said trough having an open t'opsubstantially throughout'itsleng'th, ahe'ating means in said trough, v

means including'a filter for closing the open top of said ftrough, heating means positioned above said lter'frsuperheating the vapor passing therethrough, condensing means mounted inthe spacebetween said Atrough and `tank for condensing the superheated vapor, means for automatically controlling'f'the flowV of liquid to said` trough, means including an automatic displacement pumpfor removing the condensate frorn-saidtank, and means including a second automatic displacementpump for removing a portionof the liquid from saidv trough to prevent the concentration. of the same therein. 1D. A distilling apparatus comprising a-cylindrical tankrhaving concentrically mounted therein in spaced relation an open top vcylindrical trough adapted to retain a liquid, means for automatically controlling the supply of liquid to said trough, means extending the length of said trough and spaced trom the bottom thereof for delivering said liquid uniformlyinto said trough, heating means mounted between said filter: and thej tank .for superheating the vapor, `means` mounted between said trough and tank .for condensing said superheated vapor, means` for. removing the air from said .condensing chamber, means for removing the liquidcondensed from said superheated vapors, .and meansfor automatically removing liquid from said trough in proportion to the amount of condensate produced 1in order to prevent an accumulation of concentrated liquid .therein 11. AY distilling apparatus comprising in combination a tank having a trough structure mounted therein in spaced relation thereto, said trough structure havingan open top substantially throughout its length, means for supplying a liquid to said trough, means for dividing the space between said tank and said trough into separate compartments, means. mounted in one ofA said compartments for heating `the liquid to be delivered. to said trough, means iordischarging a, portion of the liquid in said trough to prevent the concentration thereof, means mountedin the other Yof said compartments for condensingl the vapor formed in said trough, and

means for withdrawing the condensate from said last mentioned compartment.

12.` A distilling apparatus comprising in combination a tank having a trough structure mounted 'therein in spaced relationdthereto, said trough structure having an open top substantially throughout its length, means for supplying a liquid to said trough, means for dividing the space between said tank and said trough into separatev compartments, means mounted in one of saidv compartments for heating the liquid to be delivered to said trough, means for removing the air -or other non-condensible gases from said trough, filtering means closing the open tcp Y of said-trough, means mounted in the other of said compartments for condensing thevapor formed in said trough, land means for withdrawbination a tank 5 having a 'trough structure mounted therein'inrspaced` relation thereto, said trough structure having an open top substantially throughout its length, means for supplying alliquid tosaid trough, means for dividing the space between said tank and said trough into separate compartments, means connecting opposit'e sides creach compartment forl increasing the circulations therein and tending to equalize any differences infpressure building up in the oppositel sides of said compartments, means mounted in one of `said compartments for heating the liquid to be delivered to said trough below atmospheric pressure to cause said heated liquid therein to vaporize, means-mounted in the other of said compartments for condensing the vapor formed` in said trough, and means for withdrawing the condensate from said last mentioned compartment.

14.. A distilling apparatus comprising in combination a tank having a trough structure mounted therein in spaced relation thereto, said trough structure having an open top substantially throughout its length, means for supplying a liquid to said trough, means for dividing the space between said tank and said trough into separate Y compartments, longitudinally spaced means connecting opposite sides of each of said compartments for facilitating the floW therein and tending to equalize any differences in pressure building up in the opposite sides of said compartments, means mounted in one of said compartments'for heating the liquid to be delivered to said trough, means including a steam ejectorfor withdrawing airand other non-condensible' gases froml the condensing chamber, means mounted in the other of said compartments ffor c ondensing'the vapor formed in said trough, and means for. withdrawing the condensate from saidlast mentioned compartment.

15. A"disti1ling apparatus comprising in combination a tank having a trough structure mounted. therein in spaced relation thereto, said trough structure having an open top substantially throughout its length,` means for supplying a liquidtosaid trough, meansV for dividing the space between said tank and said trough into separate compartments, means mounted in one of said compartments for heating the liquid to be delivered to said trough, filtering means closing `said open top` trough, means mounted in :the-other of saidcompartments forv condensing the vapor formed .insaid trough, means for removing continuously a portion of the liquid from said trough to preventbrine concentration therein, and means for removing the condensate ing. vthe condensate fromsaid last mentioned compartment.

13. A distilling apparatus comprising in comirom said condensing compartment.

16. A distilling apparatus comprising in combination a tankl having a trough structure mounted therein in spaced relation thereto, said trough structure having an open top, substantially throughout its length, means for supplying a liquid to` said trough, means for dividing the space between said .tank and said trough into separate compartments, means mounted in one ofsaid compartments for heating the liquid to be delivered to said trough, means including a high pressure steam ejector for withdrawing air and other non-condensible gases from said condensing chamber-when the-same is below atmosphericpressura means mounted in the other Vofl said compartments for condensing the vapor formed insaid trough, means for continuously discharginga portion of` the liquid from said trough, and means for withdrawing the condensate from said last mentioned compartment.

17. A distilling apparatus comprising in combination a tank having a trough structure mounted therein in spaced relation thereto, said trough structure having an open top substantially throughout its length, means for supplying a liquid to said trough, means for dividing the space between said tank and said trough into separate compartments, filtering means closing the open top of said trough structure, means mounted in one of said compartments for heating the liquid to be4 delivered to said trough, means including a high pressure steam ejector for withdrawing air and other non-condensible gases from said condensing chamber when the same is below atmospheric pressure, means mounted in the other of said compartments for condensing the vapor formed in said trough, means for continuously discharging a portion of the liquid from said trough, and means for withdrawing the condensate from said last mentioned compartment.

WALTER E. BELINE. 

